AIRCRAFT
A GALLERY OF AIRCRAFT DESIGNS
LOCKHEED P-38 LIGHTNING MODERNIZED
I’ve always wanted a P-38 Lightning ever since I was a kid because it was the coolest airplane I’d ever seen. Back in 2000, I began to construct one of my own and have continued to work on it over the years, with modifications and upgrades. The main difference between this airplane and the real one is the engine. The original engine is hard to come so has been replaced by two TPE–33 turbo props currently built by Honeywell. The other main difference is the length of the fuselage. The guns have been replaced by another seat. The aircraft is flown by the front seat with a copilot in tandem, with all metal construction using the latest in technology for ease of maintenance and pilot ability. The aircraft has the same lines in the same wing sections as the original but with lighter weight due to the change in engines and the use of composites along with fly by wire technology. The main controls, however, are still mechanical. Certain details such as trim and engine controls have been transferred to the fly by wire. The removal of the cooling system required for the V12 engines also reduces the weight of the aircraft. With the removal of guns there is now a large cargo bay in the nose. This could accommodate certain photographic, electronic surveillance, or electronic testing equipment, a small fuel tank or just baggage. As can be seen on the images there is a single seat version. The TPE–331 engines are the preferred engines for this version due to their high power to weight ratio particularly at high altitude. The engine also accommodates a large paddle bladed propeller which is most efficient for high-altitude flight. The large bubble canopy also allows for high visibility in all directions not covered by wings or fuselage. The aircraft would be fully aerobatic just like the original P-38. With all these advances in technology the new airplane would be faster, lighter, more maneuverable, and a lot more fun to fly and you don’t have to go looking for it in a junkyard or on a derelict ramp. Nor do you have to look for parts that are nearly impossible to find.
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.75 SCALE P-38
This is a three-quarter scale Lockheed P-38 Lightning designed to be a kit plane. This aircraft uses two Chevrolet V-8 turbocharged engines attached to a P.S.R.U (propeller speed reduction unit). The entire aircraft has been reduced in size by one quarter scale. There are two versions, one with the original sized cockpit and the other with an elongated cockpit to accommodate a second seat behind the pilot. The aircraft is composite and metal construction for ease of maintenance and inspection. Each engine is not only fuel injected but also uses a quadruple redundant engine management system. this allows for easy starting and engine operation. The airplane is fully aerobatic and is capable of pulling up to 6 G's positive and 3 G's negative. There is a large cargo bay in the nose allowing for baggage, photographic equipment, electronic surveillance, or a small fuel tank. All control surfaces use mechanical linkages allowing for the most tactile flight experience possible. All trim surfaces are fly by wire. Due to the engine management system the only controls in the cockpit are fuel shutoffs, throttle and prop levers, allowing the engine management system to control mixture. This allows the pilot to fly at top efficiency. Imagine strapping on a P-38 Lightning and this is about as close and experience you can get without the real thing.
COBALT
6 Place turbo prop canard airplane.
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SEA DUCK IN REAL LIFE
Large amphibious plane modeled after the plane in Disney's Tale Spin.